[H]e was soon to be head clerk; it was time to settle…
![“[H]e was soon to be head clerk; it was time to settle down. So he gave up his flute, exalted sentiments, and poetry; for every bourgeois in the flush of his youth, were it but for a day, a moment, has believed himself capable of immense passions, of lofty enterprises. The most mediocre libertine…” quote by Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/8c7/gustave-flaubert-354_business_h-e-was-soon-to-be-head-clerk-it-was-tim_2291652.jpg)
““[H]e was soon to be head clerk; it was time to settle down. So he gave up his flute, exalted sentiments, and poetry; for every bourgeois in the flush of his youth, were it but for a day, a moment, has believed himself capable of immense passions, of lofty enterprises. The most mediocre libertine has dreamed of sultanas; every notary bears within him the debris of a poet.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often abandon artistic passions for practical roles, yet retain a hidden poetic core.
In simple terms: We trade art for duty, but the poet remains inside.
Key Takeaway
Balance duty with creative expression.
Themes
career
art
identity
society
Mood
nostalgic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- education
- creative hobbies
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of you is hidden behind your job?
- How can you nurture that inner poet?
A Different Perspective
Practical demands may suppress artistic growth.